Kern County Biographies
T. W. Helm
Submitted by Sally Kaleta, March, 2007
This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm
T. W. Helm, M. D., of Bakersfield, is a native of
Morrisville, Fauquier County, Virginia. J. G. Helm, his father, a farmer by
occupation, was a native of the same town, where he still resides. Of his four
sons, Dr. Helm is the oldest. The Doctor received a good common-school
education, and during such time as could be spared from his duties on the farm,
perfected himself in some of the higher branches of school knowledge. At
twenty-four years of age he left the farm and went to Hunt County, Texas, where
he taught school. Finally he engaged in the drug business and took up the study
of medicine. In 1878 he entered the medical department of the Columbia
University at Paris, Texas, from which he received his diploma, and there
commenced practicing medicine in 1879. In the spring of 1880 he removed to
Runnels County, Texas, and was one of the pioneers who located, platted and
established the present lively town of Runnels, in that county. He had
previously figured prominently in the organization of Runnels County. He
remained at Runnels until August, 1887, when he came to California, located at
Lemoore, Tulare County, and practiced his profession. In October, 1890, he took
up his residence in Bakersfield and opened his office in the Hirshfield block,
where he is building up a lucrative practice. Dr. Helm was married November 27,
1879, to Miss Mollie Hathaway, a daughter of J. W. Hathaway, who is a farmer and
a leading citizen of Hunt County, Texas. Dr. and Mrs. Helm have three sons and
one daughter. The Doctor is a genial, open-hearted and open-handed gentleman,
and is deservedly popular in the community.
Source: "The Memorial and Biographical History of the Counties of Fresno,
Tulare, and Kern, California," Lewis Publ. Co., 1892, p.401.